NEW ORLEANS – More and more retailers are looking in invigorate their perimeter-store prepared foods sections, and they’re often looking to their foodservice brethren for inspiration.

That’s why Chicago-based foodservice ingredient specialist Newly Weds Foods thinks it’s the perfect company to lend a helping hand.

After keeping a low profile at IDDBA for several years, Newly Weds went big for the 2018 edition, with not only a big booth on the show floor’s major thoroughfare but a big message for retail foodservice: we’re here to help.

“We’ve been servicing chain restaurants for years and years, but we make a lot of things for deli and retail foodservice, too,” Tom Downs, Newly Weds’ senior director of global marketing, said at the show. “A lot of people in this industry don’t know who we are. When we see the growth of prepared foods, that’s where we know we can play. They’re trying to emulate what traditional foodservice is doing.”

Take instore deli chicken for example, Downs said. A lot of retailers are looking to differentiate themselves with expanded, unique chicken programs. Newly Weds is ramping up its efforts to these potential customers with a full lineup of batters, breadings, seasonings and even menu creation assistance.

The company’s deli chicken breading options include breader, predust, crackermeal, flour breader and flavored breadcrumbs. Topical seasonings for wings, rubs and injects and barbecue sauces are among the other products Newly Weds makes for chicken programs.

Also at IDDBA, Newly Weds, recognizing the increasing importance of food safety to retailers, was spotlighting its Defenstat product, a liquid treatment that protects uncooked meat without affecting product taste or texture. “It’s a good fit for back-of-the-house (retail deli),” Downs said.